1.1.2. Constituents of shale reservoirs
By definition, shale reservoir rocks are comprised of two main components which are the inorganic minerals and the organic matter. These two components, by their nature, will have different properties which will affect directly the intrinsic quality of the reservoirs.
1.1.2.1. Inorganic minerals
The inorganic minerals are often the most abundant constituents of shale reservoirs. They generally account for 85-98% of the rock composition by weight and 70-94% by volume. The main inorganic minerals found in shales are clays